Books to Add to Your TBR in 2021 – The Most Anticipated Books of The Year!

After braving one rollercoaster of a year, we’re finally putting 2020 and its horrors behind us. It’s 2021! Onward and upward from here on out. There’s lots to look forward to in this new year – spring, socialising, and a superb list of brand-new books! Have a look at some of our most awaited books this year for children and adults.

FOR ADULTS

FICTION

The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

An exquisite love story of a king and a commoner, a cautionary tale about loyalty and betrayal, and a powerful parable of the indestructible bond between mother and child, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s unforgettable novel brings alive one of the most fearless women of the nineteenth century, an inspiration for our times.

Buy now!

 

 

Girl A by Abigail Dean

The book that will define a decade, with rights sold in 27 territories, read this book before the TV show comes out, directed by Johan Renck of Chernobyl fame. Beautifully written and incredibly powerful, Girl A is a story of redemption, of horror, and of love.

Buy now!

 

Jungle Nama by Amitav Ghosh

The first-ever book in verse by Amitav Ghosh, Jungle Nama evokes the wonder of the Sundarban through its poetry, accompanied by stunning artwork by the renowned artist Salman Toor. This is an illuminated edition of a fabulous folk tale that every book lover will want to possess.

Buy now!

Spark Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi

An Afghan American woman returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives in this brilliant and compelling novel from the bestselling author of The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, The House Without Windows, and When the Moon Is Low.

Buy now!

Club You to Death by Anuja Chauhan

With Club You to Death, bestselling author of Those Pricey Thakur Girls, Anuja Chauhan brings us her patented mix of laugh-out-loud humour and toe-tingling romance… this time, with a dollop of spine-chilling suspense.

Releasing February 2021

Write Me A Love Story by Ravinder Singh

At each other’s throats, Abhimanyu and Asmita are as different as can be. But in spite of their differences, fate has something else in store, and soon, the two find themselves in love… the King of Romance returns with a brand-new novel to make your heart swoon!

Releasing April 2021

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird

Isabel, Anna, Beth, and Maggie are women who aren’t afraid to take it all—they are sexy, determined, and not looking for a simple happily ever after. Through punchy, hilarious, and insightful storytelling, The End of Men shatters the confines of society, and more importantly, those we impose upon ourselves.

Releasing April 2021

What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror? by Nikita Singh

A young couple decides to die together when they are old; but when it’s time, the husband isn’t done living his life. A woman tries to save her relationship after cheating. A man finds that he is no longer understood by his closest friends.  

Bestselling author Nikita Singh returns with stories that explore the idea of loyalty and commitment, and visits the complicated inner lives of everyday people. 

Releasing May 2021

Lahore: The Partition Trilogy (volume 1) by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar 

From an award-winning storyteller comes a riveting, large canvas historical novel, the first in a series of three, set in the year of Independence and Partition.  

 

Everything Breaks by Tavleen Singh

Tavleen Singh narrates a story of love, loss and redemption against the backdrop of a society in churn in this compelling first novel.

The Illuminated: A Novel by Anindita Ghose 

An extraordinary first novel that is a superbly nuanced, intricately detailed study of two women, a mother and a daughter, who drift apart and reconnect even as their lives unravel in the wake of a family tragedy and the all-too-righteous world around them becomes increasingly intrusive.

Coming soon!

NON-FICTION

A Matter of Trust by Meenakshi Narula Ahamed

In A Matter of Trust, Meenakshi Ahamed reveals the personal prejudices and insecurities of the leaders, and the political imperatives, that so often cast a shadow over their relationship. 

Buy now!

Business Made Simple by Donald Miller

Is this blue book more valuable than a business degree? It’s hard to be successful without a clear understanding of how business works. These 60 daily readings from New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller focus on the tangible skills it takes to offer extreme value to your organization while building your company, your career, and your legacy.

Buy now!

OPOS Cookbook by B. Ramakrishnan

The Complete OPOS Cookbook, by culinary pioneer and OPOS inventor B. Ramakrishnan, features entire meal plans spanning regional and international cuisines and includes his bestselling recipes along with new ones.

Buy now!

The Punished by Project 39A

Profoundly moving and illuminating, The Punished takes us on a journey into the lives and minds of men and women often demonised by society and discarded by the State. 

Buy now!

Wild and Wilful by Neha Sinha

A profound truth of the wild, and the world at large, is that we are a part of it, not owners of it. In this book, we meet fifteen iconic Indian species in need of conservation and heart. The author explores what these creatures need, and how they exert agency and decision-making. With an equal emphasis on human and animal, science and skilled prose, Wild and Wilful reveals the magic of the wild in our daily lives and it will take you from fear to wonder.

Buy now!

India After Liberalisation: An Overviewby Bimal Jalan

In India after Liberalisation, Bimal Jalan offers a wide-angle view of how liberalisation has shaped up over the intervening decades. What emerges in crisp chapters is the story of a country best placed to catch the tide to high growth and a system that, time after time, fails to live up to the challenge of decision making.

Buy now!

The Population Myth by S Y Quraishi 

The former Chief Election Commissioner reveals how a right-wing spin to population data has give rise to myths about the ‘Muslim rate of growth’.

Buy now!

India’s First Dictatorship: The Emergency, 1975-77 by Christophe Jaffrelot and Pratinav Anil 

India’s First Dictatorship sheds new light on one of the darkest moments in modern India’s history, drawing upon a trove of new sources.

Buy now!

Quantum Marketing by Raja Rajamannar

Quantum Marketing is for all business people who seek to understand how rapidly marketing is evolving, what some of the smartest people in the discipline are doing to get ready for this dramatic shift, and what the new world will look like for companies, consumers, and society at large as the race to develop revolutionary marketing strategies reaches a whole new level.

Buy now!

Eye on the Bottom Line: On the Goby Anil Lamba

Dr Anil Lamba’s bestselling book Eye on the Bottom Line now in a compact travel edition. This book, a result of an encouraging response from readers, is meant for the on-the-go reader. A handy companion to understand financial management, it covers all the topics from the main book, albeit in an abridged form.

Buy now!

Landscapes of Loss: The Story of an Indian Droughtby Kavitha Iyer

Landscapes of Loss tells the story of Marathwada – its stunning basalt hills, scorched brown earth, the flaming reds and pinks the locals wear – through the accounts of its people. Kavitha Iyer expertly unravels how the Marathwada people have been pushed out of the way by India’s growth trajectory.

Buy now!

On This Day She by Jo Bell, Tania Hershman, and Ailsa Holland

An inspiring collection that shines a light on incredible women who were never given the acknowledgement they deserved. From Beyoncé to Doria Shafik, Queen Elizabeth I to Lillian Bilocca, On This Day She sets out to redress this imbalance and give voice to both those already deemed female icons, alongside others whom the history books have failed to include.

Buy now!

Sufi Lyrics by Bullhe Shah, translated by Christopher Shackle

Bullhe Shah’s work is among the glories of Panjabi literature, and the iconic eighteenth-century poet is widely regarded as a master of mystical Sufi poetry. This striking new translation is the most authoritative and engaging introduction to an enduring South Asian classic.

Buy now!

Into the Abyss by Anthony David

Drawing from Professor Anthony David’s career as a clinician and academic, his fascinating case studies reveal the unique complexity of the human mind, stretching the limits of our understanding.

Buy now!

Poems of the First Buddhist Women by Charles Hallisey

Poems of the First Buddhist Women offers startling insights into the experiences of women in ancient times that continue to resonate with modern readers. With a spare and elegant style, this powerful translation introduces us to a classic of world literature.

Releasing February 2021

Liftoff by Eric Berger

Drawing on unparalleled access and exclusive interviews with dozens of former and current employees – engineers, designers, mechanics, and executives, including Elon Musk – Eric Berger tells the complete story of this foundational generation that transformed SpaceX into the world’s leading space company

Releasing March 2021

Noise by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass R. Sunstein

From the multi-million copy bestselling author of Thinking Fast and Slow Daniel Kahneman, the co-author of the million-copy bestseller Nudge Cass Sunstein, and the eminent professor and writer on strategic thinking Olivier Sibony, a new book about how to make better decisions.

Releasing May 2021

Tata – The Global Corporation That Built Indian Capitalism by Mircea Raianu

An eye-opening portrait of global capitalism spanning 150 years, told through the history of the Tata corporation. Based on painstaking research in the company’s archive, Tata elucidates how a titan of industry was created and what lessons its story may hold for the future of global capitalism.

Releasing July 2021

Renaissance State: The Unwritten Story of The Making of Maharashtra by Girish Kuber

Maharashtra. Among the country’s largest, wealthiest, most significant constituents. A great state in name and in deed that has been the cradle of individuals and events that have shaped India. Girish Kuber – seasoned journalist, award-winning author and one of Maharashtra’s foremost opinion makers – tells its story in Renaissance StatePainstakingly researched and racily told, this is the account of the making of Maharashtra that its proud people deserved but which had so far remained unwritten.

Coming soon!

In the Language of Remembering: Generational Memories of the Partition by Aanchal Malhotra

Aanchal Malhotra’s first book, the bestselling Remnants of a Separation, focused on the survivors of Partition through the stories around the objects they chose to carry with them across the new border. In the Language of Remembering: Generational Memories of the Partition takes the narrative forward by shifting attention to the post-memory generation.

Coming soon!

Bengal 2021 by Deep Halder 

An on-the-ground account of an electrifying state election, the drama of which is unfolding in the times of the pandemic.

Coming soon!


This Life at Play by Girish Karnad 
The House Next to the Factory by Sonal Kohli 
A Mirror Made of Rain: A Novel by Naheed Patel 
Vaidhanik Galp by Chandan Pandey 
Theyoor Chronicles by N Prabhakaran, translated by Jayasree Kalathil

 

DEBUT VOICES

  • Untitled, one of the world’s greatest allrounders writes his candid cricket memoir Ravi Shastri with Ayaz Memon
  • Simran Dhir’s Best Intentions, centered on two families in Delhi, marks the arrival of an outstanding new voice
  • Fahad Shah’s The Unnamed, a searing novel set in Kashmir
  • Bollywood insider Mushtaq Shiekh’s sizzling Bollywood Biwis
  • Preeti Shenoy’s big non-fiction on positivity and self-fulfilment
  • The Non-Serious Guide to Bengali Food by Arpan Roy
  • Buddha in the City: renowned psychiatrist Dr Shyam Bhat tells us how to thrive in a world of constant change; find peace amidst chaos.
  • Kubbra Sait’s candid, self-deprecating and funny, and unsparingly honest account of her childhood and career.
  • Karuna Ezara Parikh’s poetry – the exquisite writer and poet at what she does best.
  • A Plane Story by Anmol Malik a heady love story set in the world of airport terminals, Indian publishing, and weddings.
  • Jai Madaan, The Secret Within: Astrologer, motivational speaker and popular TV show host tells us how to control planetary influences so as to alleviate our deepest fears and achieve our desires.
  • Vinita Jain’s Beauty Secrets: The first book by founder of Biotique; she writes her success mantra.
  • The Black Orphan, one of Hussain S. Zaidi’s most ambitious novels to date centering on Asiya, Osama Bin Laden’s protégé and foster daughter.
  • But I Like Me by Indian Matchmaking star Aparna Shewakramani on ‘The Making of a Difficult, Picky, and Stubborn Woman—and Why That’s a Good Thing’
  • The Happiness Theory Savi Sharma tells us how to work towards and maintain a purposeful, happy life. From love and health to self-awareness and money.

 

 

FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS

Young Readers

The Germ Academy by Rea Mukhtyar Malhotra and Shahena Zaveri (Fiction | Picture book)

The Germ Academy, a brilliantly illustrated picture book by Rea Mukhtyar Malhotra and Shahena Zaveri presents the story of the Coronavirus or Covie and stresses on the importance of keeping clean to fight the virus. A timely story that is a little bit creepy, a little bit bubbly, and a whole lot of fun!

Releasing February 2021

Noa and the Elephant by Michael Foreman (Fiction | Picture book)

A heart-warming and achingly relevant story about elephant conservation, from picture book legend, Michael Foreman. Perfect for children of all ages to share with their families and learn about the the environment and the importance of preserving remarkable world we live in.

Buy now!

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris (Fiction)

Meena Harris debuts with an empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of her aunt, US Senator Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer, and policy expert Maya Harris.

Buy now!

Young to Middle Readers

The Gopi Diaries (Book 2): Finding Love by Sudha Murty (Fiction)

In Finding Love, the second book in Sudha Murty’s bestselling Gopi Diaries series, Gopi grows up from the pup he was in the first book to a cheekier, more mischievous dog! This is a book for Sudha Murty’s fans of all ages as Gopi paws himself yet again into the hearts of children and adults alike.

Buy now!

When We Got Lost in Dreamland by Ross Welford (Fiction)

The landmark new novel from Ross Welford, one of the fastest-growing and most critically acclaimed middle grade authors in the UK, this funny, moving and brilliant sixth book cements his position as the most exciting storyteller around for readers of 10+.

Buy now!

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold (Fiction)

An instant classic with a bear-sized heart, Hannah Gold’s debut novel is a touching story of kindness, adventure, and forging your own path—an excellent choice for readers in grades 3 to 7, this fierce celebration of friendship includes full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout, as well as information about the real Bear Island and the plight of the polar bears.

Buy now!

Talking to Alaska by Anna Woltz, translated by Laura Watkinson (Fiction)

A powerful story of two unlikely friends brought together by the love of a dog. It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies. When Parker discovers her beloved dog Alaska – who she had to give away last year – now belongs to Sven, she’s determined to steal Alaska back. Of course, that’s easier said than done…

Buy now!

The Culture of Clothes by Giovanna Alessio, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat (Non-Fiction)

A stunning exhibition of national dress from around the world, curated and beautifully illustrated by Indian illustrator, Chaaya Prabhat. Explore how traditional dress is an important part of a region’s identity and the meaning behind the intricate details and symbols they feature. This book will take readers on a colourful journey around the world, visiting 30 different countries!

Buy now!

A To Z of Indian Cities: Ahmedabad to Zunheboto by Rati Malaiya (Non-Fiction)

Rati Malaiya’s A to Z of Indian Cities lets you travel to 26 remarkable cities, one each for every letter of the alphabet. The beautifully illustrated pictorial maps by Bechain Nagari Studios will help you explore the well-known and the lesser known, from Mumbai, Indore and Varanasi to Quilon, Xeldom and Zunheboto and many other cities. Discover local traditions, festivals, iconic monuments, cuisine and much else that give India its incredible diversity, culture and heritage.

Buy now!

The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Fiction)

A moving story of family separation and the importance of the connection between animals and humans, this novel has the enormous heart and uplifting humour that readers have come to expect from the beloved author of Counting by 7s.

Buy now!

The Amar Chitra Katha Folktales Series (Fiction)

Amar Chitra Katha recreates some iconic comics for early readers in narrative form, accompanied by beautiful illustrations. This new series features Funny Folktales from all over India, the Best of Wit and Wisdom from the country’s amazing range of folklore and fables, and Buddhist Stories.

Coming soon!

Middle Readers

 

The Story Quilt: Regional Children’s Stories from India, compiled by Harshikaa Udasi (Fiction)

The Story Quilt is an eclectic collection of stories that have been carefully cherry-picked by journalist and children’s writer, Harshikaa Udasi from across India to bring to children a flavour of writing in different Indian languages, especially those languages that we read very little about. The book includes original stories written in a variety of languages, translated into English from Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Punjabi and Sindhi.

Coming soon!

The Best At It by Maulik Pancholy (Fiction)

‘Find one thing you’re really good at and become the BEST at it.’ That’s the advice middle grader, Rahul Kapoor, receives from his grandfather – but what if he discovers he isn’t the best at anything. Will it be the end of the world? Award-winning actor, Maulik Pancholy’s funny, charming, incredibly touching debut novel, The Best At It is a story about friendship, family, and the courage it takes to live your truth.

Buy now!

Middle to Older Readers

Best Classic Short Stories for Children (Fiction)

Best Classic Short Stories for Children brings together some of the most well-known and beloved children’s classics. This is the first book in the Classics for the New Decade series – a new anthology series celebrating the most enduring works of literature.

Releasing February 2021

India at the Olympics (The India Series) edited by Seetha Natesh, illustrated by Ashish Verma (Non-Fiction)

India at the Olympics, the second book in the India series is packed with images, illustrations, information and highlights, and celebrates 100 years of the participation of Indian athletes in the world’s biggest sporting event and also traces the remarkable history of the Olympics over this period. India in Space was the first book in the India series.

Buy now!

The Coward and the Sword by Jugal Hansraj (Fiction)

Jugal Hansraj’s delightful new novel for children is about the journey of a timid young Prince as he learns that true bravery lies within one’s own heart and should be used to create peace, not war. 

Coming soon!

 

Young Adults

Saira Zariwala is Afraid by Shabnam Minwalla (Fiction)

Shabnam Minwalla’s new young adult novel, Saira Zariwala is Afraid is part mystery, part horror. And more than that. It is also about being a teenager in Mumbai, and about friendship and romance and the ease with which people can hide behind their phones. It all starts when Saira gets a phone for her 14th birthday. The story then spirals along taking the reader on a dark and sinister ride — making for a truly unputdownable book.

Buy now!

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy (Fiction)

Return to the beloved world of Julie Murphy’s #1 New York Times bestselling Dumplin’—now a popular Netflix feature film starring Jennifer Anistonin this fabulously joyful, final companion novel about drag, prom, and embracing your inner Queen.

Buy now!

CATCH GLIMPSES OF THE INSIDE OF INDIA IN SCIENCE

India in Science (Non-Fiction)
A perfect keepsake for young science enthusiasts, the third book in the India series, India in Science, touches upon the milestones in India’s scientific development and gives you a rare peek into some unknown scientific discoveries, all of which took place in this country! Packed with evocative pictures and stunning illustrations, the book is a visual treat for those who want to keep a record of India’s scientific journey. The book comes with a pull-out poster and includes trivia as well as timeline pages.

Coming soon!

Pictured above are Kalpana Swaminathan (t) and Ishrat Syed (b), known by their pseudonym Kalpish Ratna.

Pandemonium in Pakshila by Kalpish Ratna (Fiction)

How do you find an invisible monster? What can you do when the jungle at your doorstep decides it needs a champion – and you’re JustIt? Does anybody even notice you’re only ten years old? Oh no, they just expect you to take on the Pandemonium in Pakshila!

Coming soon!

Spooky Stories by Tanushree Podder (Fiction)

A writer’s journey turns into a nightmare when he disembarks from the train to catch a thief and misses the train. With references to historical incidents and real-life locations, Spooky Stories is an unusual set of spine-tingling stories. 

Coming soon!

Incredible Indians: 75 Indians Who Shaped Modern India by Ashwitha Jayakumar (Non-Fiction)

The first biography title in the India series, 75 People Who Shaped Modern India features the nation builders who played a key role in giving direction to the country. Packed with rare images and beautiful illustrations to bring alive the era that defined India’s destiny as a modern nation, the book includes a range of literary scholars and philosophers who gave India its conscience.

Coming soon!

With this fabulous line-up, we hope you’ve started working on creating more space on those shelves!

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